SCIENCE

Horizon 2020

What is Horizon 2020?

Horizon 2020 is the EU Research and Innovation programme and the largest funding system for these purposes in the world. The programme offers nearly €80 billion of non-refundable grants to organizations from all sectors ( academic sector, government organizations, industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, associations, non-governmental organizations etc.) to focus intensively on innovation and close-to-market scientific and research activities. Special attention is paid to areas with less developed scientific infrastructure and small and medium-sized enterprises, for which about 20 percent of total fund is intended.

Horizon 2020 is open to everyone and the administrative procedures are significantly reduced to improve the quality of results.
Horizon 2020 provides a unique opportunity to the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina to finance the projects for which funding from other sources would be otherwise difficult to find. Moreover, these are the projects through which funding of professional development of the academic community or work abroad , cooperation with industry in commercializing innovative products or services and infrastructure upgrade is provided. The areas covered by Horizon 2020 are extremely wide and, therefore, one of the most important challenges for the ogranizations in the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina is to find their place and proper role in the projects that will be funded in order to maximize the use of resources which the EU has made available.

Key goals and priorities of Horizon 2020 programme

One of the most important challenges we are facing is reducing unemployment, that is, the creation of new workplaces. In order to solve the challenges we are facing, it is necessary to utilize talents, knowledge, skills, experiences, and to enable effective cooperation of those who are the best in their fields.

Horizon 2020 has three priorities:

Priority 1. Excellent science ( academic and research community)

Priority 2. Industrial leadership ( SMEs)

Priority 3. Societal challenges

How to write project proposals for Horizon 2020?

The development of the project and the process of writing project proposal are not easy. It starts with the research context and reading of reference documents to meet the requirements of the European Commission.

Then, the open and announced bids are analyzed in detail to make an adequate action plan and identify the best partners. The process of analysis, preparations and negotiations is very difficult and usually begins almost a year before the given submission deadline of project proposal.

Where to find project partners for Horizon 2020?

It is crucially important to identify the appropriate partners. It is necessary to choose the best, but in order to do so the initiative must be taken and one should introduce themselves adequately. It is of crucial importance to be proactive, to communicate with anyone who can help.

The system of national contact points (NCP)

The NCP team is established to be of service to the academic community throughout the Bosnia and Herzegovina.

National Contact Persons for Horizon 2020

“Lear person” at the University in Banja Luka is the Vice-rector for Science, Research and Development, Prof. Dr Milan Mataruga.